Toss Report: South Africa vs. Pakistan
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first in the opening game of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan in Durban.
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Speaking at the toss, South Africa’s skipper Heinrich Klaasen highlighted the flat nature of the pitch, expressing confidence in his team’s ability to post a substantial total. “We’re eager to put up a big score and give the players opportunities to showcase their abilities. With the 2026 World Cup in mind, we’re expanding our pool and assessing where everyone stands. Pakistan’s bowling lineup is top-notch, and they’ve been playing impressive cricket recently,” he said.
The South African lineup features a revamped squad, with none of the players who participated in the recent Test series victory against Sri Lanka included. However, experienced T20I players such as David Miller, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, and Rassie van der Dussen bring stability. Allrounder George Linde also makes his return to the international stage after his last appearance in 2021.
South Africa suffered a blow as Anrich Nortje was ruled out due to a left big toe injury, while Tabraiz Shamsi was unavailable for selection as he joined the squad only recently after competing in the Global Super League.
Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, mentioned he would have preferred to bat first as well. “We’ve got a mix of youth and experience, and our focus is on developing domestic talent into international stars,” he stated. “Fast bowlers love bowling in South Africa, and it’s always exciting to play here with the support we receive.”
For this match, Pakistan opted for a bowling-heavy setup, with Salman Ali Agha sitting out. Their lineup includes Abbas Afridi at No. 7, supported by two spinners, Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed.
Playing XI
South Africa:
Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Mathew Breetzke, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (c, wk), Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Andile Simelane, Nqaba Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Ottneil Baartman
Pakistan:
Mohammad Rizwan (c, wk), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed